Needlewatcher is a New York State-registered  Limited Liability Company that provides professional USPAP-compliant appraisal services to individuals and estates, for personal property such as fine art and antiques .

What is an appraisal?

An appraisal is a bespoke legal document expressing an impartial and unbiased opinion of value, developed by a professional acting as an appraiser, as specified by USPAP—Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, as mandated by the Congressionally-authorized Appraisal Foundation; the source of Appraisal Standards and Appraiser qualifications. Appraisals can be used or required for a number of purposes, such as insurance coverage, in-kind donations, personal estates, the equitable distribution of property,  or for use as collateral, etc. Dollar amounts may differ, based on the definition of value appropriate to the intended use of the appraisal by the client. To better understand the appraisal process, please contact us at appraisals@needlewatcher.com

What’s does an appraisal cost?

Popular misconceptions about appraisals appraisal abound. For instance, fees are not calculated as a percentage of the value of the properties being appraised. This would violate USPAP, by making it impossible for an appraiser to develop an impartial and unbiased opinion of value for any object in which they hold a material or financial interest. Fees may vary greatly, depending on the nature of the assignment, an appraiser’s experience and expertise, or other factors unique to a given assignment.  Compensation for services may be calculated as a project fee, or on an hourly basis—as detailed in a letter of agreement between the client and an appraiser.

James Lancel McElhinney  is an independent appraiser who completed the Appraisers Association of America CASP program in 2017. As of February 17, 2023 he is also current with USPAP. Areas of expertise include American and European fine art painting, printmaking, and works on paper; antique American and Asian arms. McElhinney has served clients in the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States. More on James’s bona-fides can be found here: LINK

The first half-hour consultation is free, with no obligation. Send us a message at: appraisals@needlewatcher.com

Learn more about USPAP:

Back to SERVICES